We would treat Australia like any other team: Kumble

TIL Desk Sports/ India coach Anil Kumble is aware that Australia will come hard at his team but said the hosts will not attach any special significance to this series and would treat Steve Smith and Co. like any other side. Australia had lost 0-4 during their previous tour to India and Kumble said his team will have plans to counter the visiting side when the first Test begins here on Thursday.

“We respect every opposition. We spoke about this even before the season started with New Zealand. England was tougher. We all know the Australian team. They are really professional, but I would like to treat them as any other team,” Kumble said. “I don’t think we need to attach any other significance to this series other than what we need to do to tick all those boxes we have been doing over last six to eight months.

“They are a good side, have some good batters and bowlers. The approach they tend to take is to be aggressive. We are aware of it and we will put together strategies in place to counter that,” he added. The former leg-spinner said his team is capable of adapting to different challenges and focusing on things which they can control rather than worrying over the nature of pitch ahead of the first Test starting on Thursday.